Daviess County Criminal Records
What Is Daviess County Criminal Records
Criminal records in Daviess County, Kentucky, are official government documents that chronicle an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system, from initial law enforcement contact through final court disposition. These records are maintained by multiple agencies and serve as the authoritative source of information for background checks, legal proceedings, and public accountability purposes.
Understanding the distinctions among record types is essential for members of the public seeking accurate information:
- Arrest records vs. conviction records: An arrest record documents that law enforcement took an individual into custody based on probable cause. A conviction record reflects a formal finding of guilt by a court of law. An arrest does not constitute a conviction, and individuals who are arrested but not convicted may still have arrest records on file.
- Felony vs. misdemeanor: Felonies are serious offenses punishable by imprisonment of one year or more in a state correctional facility. Misdemeanors are lesser offenses typically resulting in fines or incarceration of less than one year in a county jail.
- Adult vs. juvenile records: Adult criminal records are generally accessible to the public under Kentucky law. Juvenile records are presumptively sealed pursuant to KRS § 610.340, which restricts disclosure to protect the privacy of minors involved in the justice system.
- Active warrants vs. historical records: Active warrants represent current judicial orders authorizing law enforcement to apprehend an individual. Historical records document past arrests, charges, and dispositions that have been resolved.
The principal agencies maintaining Daviess County criminal records include:
- Daviess County Sheriff's Office — maintains arrest records, booking information, and jail records
- Daviess County Circuit and District Courts — maintain case filings, court proceedings, pleas, trial records, and sentencing dispositions
- Kentucky State Police (KSP) — maintains the statewide criminal history repository
- Owensboro Police Department — maintains local arrest and incident records
Criminal records typically encompass charges filed, arraignment proceedings, entered pleas, trial outcomes, sentencing orders, and any conditions of probation or parole imposed by the court. Members of the public may access Daviess County court case information through the Kentucky Court of Justice.
Daviess County Circuit Court Clerk's Office 100 East Second Street, Owensboro, KY 42303 (270) 687-7270 Daviess County Circuit Court Clerk
Daviess County Sheriff's Office 212 Saint Ann Street, Owensboro, KY 42303 (270) 685-8444 Daviess County Sheriff's Office
Are Criminal Records Public In Daviess County
Adult criminal records in Daviess County are generally accessible to the public under Kentucky's Open Records Act. Pursuant to KRS § 61.870 et seq., all public agencies in the Commonwealth are required to make public records available for inspection and copying upon written request, subject to specific statutory exemptions. This framework ensures government transparency while protecting certain categories of sensitive information.
Records that are currently open to public inspection include:
- Adult conviction records and court dispositions
- Court dockets, case filings, and hearing schedules
- Sentencing orders and probation conditions
- Booking information and jail rosters maintained by the Sheriff's Office
Records that are restricted from public disclosure include:
- Juvenile court records, which are sealed under KRS § 610.340
- Records pertaining to ongoing criminal investigations, where disclosure would compromise law enforcement operations
- Expunged records, which are treated as if they never existed following a court order
- Victim identifying information in certain sensitive case types, including sexual offenses
Members of the public submitting an Open Records request to a Daviess County agency must do so in writing. The agency is required to respond within five business days of receiving the request. Requests may be submitted in person, by mail, or by electronic means where the agency has established such procedures.
How To Look Up Criminal Records In Daviess County in 2026
Members of the public may obtain Daviess County criminal records through several official channels, depending on the type of record sought and the level of detail required.
Step 1 — Identify the appropriate agency. Determine whether the record sought is a court case record, an arrest or booking record, or a statewide criminal history. Court records are held by the Circuit Court Clerk; arrest and jail records are held by the Sheriff's Office; statewide criminal histories are maintained by the Kentucky State Police.
Step 2 — Submit an Open Records request. For records not available through online portals, submit a written Open Records request to the relevant agency. Requests should include the full name of the subject, date of birth, and the specific records sought. Requests may be submitted in person during public counter hours or by mail.
Step 3 — Request a statewide background check. The Kentucky State Police provides criminal background checks for a fee of $20, payable by check or money order to the KY State Treasurer. This search returns adult criminal history records maintained in the KSP repository and does not require fingerprints for a name-based search.
Step 4 — Visit the Circuit Court Clerk in person. Members of the public may inspect court records in person at the Daviess County Circuit Court Clerk's Office during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Step 5 — Contact the Sheriff's Office for jail and arrest records. Booking records, jail rosters, and arrest logs maintained by the Daviess County Sheriff's Office may be requested directly from that office.
Daviess County Sheriff's Office 212 Saint Ann Street, Owensboro, KY 42303 (270) 685-8444 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Daviess County Sheriff's Office
Kentucky State Police — Criminal Records Section 1250 Louisville Road, Frankfort, KY 40601 (502) 227-8700 Kentucky State Police Background Checks
How To Find Criminal Records in Daviess County Online
Several official online portals currently provide access to Daviess County criminal and court records without requiring an in-person visit.
Kentucky Court of Justice — eCourts Case Search The Administrative Office of the Courts operates an online case search tool that allows members of the public to search Circuit, District, Family, and Business court records statewide, including those originating in Daviess County. Users may search by party name, case number, or attorney. The portal returns case numbers, filing dates, charge descriptions, hearing schedules, and disposition information. No registration is required for basic public case searches. Access is available through the Daviess County court information page.
Daviess County Sheriff's Office — Online Resources The Daviess County Sheriff's Office website provides access to current inmate and jail roster information. Members of the public may use this resource to verify whether an individual is currently in custody at the Daviess County Detention Center. This portal reflects real-time booking data and is updated regularly.
Kentucky State Police — Background Check Portal The KSP online system allows requestors to initiate a name-based adult criminal history search. The fee of $20 applies to online submissions. The portal returns records from the statewide criminal history repository and is accessible through the KSP background checks page.
It is important to note that certain records — including sealed juvenile records, expunged cases, and records under active investigation — are not available through any online portal and require a formal written request or court order for access.
Can You Search Daviess County Criminal Records for Free?
Kentucky law currently provides members of the public with the right to inspect public records at no charge. Under KRS § 61.874, agencies may charge reasonable fees for copies of records but may not charge for the act of inspection itself. This means that individuals who wish to review criminal records in person at a public agency office are entitled to do so without paying an inspection fee.
The following resources are currently available at no cost:
- Kentucky Court of Justice eCourts Case Search — Free online access to Daviess County court case records, including charges, dispositions, and hearing dates, available through the Kentucky Court of Justice
- Daviess County Sheriff's Office Jail Roster — Free online access to current inmate booking information via the Daviess County Sheriff's Office website
- In-person record inspection — Members of the public may inspect court records at the Circuit Court Clerk's Office and arrest records at the Sheriff's Office at no charge during regular business hours
Fees apply when copies of records are requested. The Circuit Court Clerk's Office charges a per-page fee for paper copies of court documents. The Kentucky State Police charges $20 for a statewide criminal history report. Certified copies of court records carry an additional certification fee.
What's Included in a Daviess County Criminal Record?
A complete Daviess County criminal record may contain several categories of information, depending on the nature of the case and the agency maintaining the record.
Identifying Information
- Full legal name and known aliases
- Date of birth and physical description (height, weight, eye and hair color)
- Mugshot photograph taken at the time of booking
- Last known address
- State Identification Number (SID) and FBI number, where assigned
Arrest Information
- Date, time, and location of arrest
- Arresting agency (Sheriff's Office, Owensboro Police Department, or other law enforcement)
- Booking number and facility (Daviess County Detention Center)
- Charges filed at the time of arrest
- Bail or bond amount set and conditions of release
Court Case Information
- Case number and assigned court (Circuit or District)
- Filing date and jurisdiction
- Specific charges and applicable Kentucky Revised Statutes, including felony or misdemeanor classification
- Entered plea (guilty, not guilty, or no contest)
- Attorney of record and prosecuting agency
Disposition Information
- Verdict (guilty, not guilty, or dismissed)
- Conviction date, if applicable
- Sentencing details, including type and length of sentence, fines, restitution ordered, and conditions of supervision
- Probation or parole status and supervising agency
- Any appeals filed and their outcomes
Additional Record Elements
- Active or recalled warrants
- Protective or restraining orders
- Sex offender registration status, where applicable
- DUI or DWI convictions
- Traffic-related criminal violations
- Pending charges not yet adjudicated
How Long Does Daviess County Keep Criminal Records?
Daviess County agencies retain criminal records in accordance with Kentucky's records retention schedules established by the Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives (KDLA). Retention periods vary by record type and agency.
Current retention periods for principal record categories include:
- Felony conviction records: Retained permanently by the Circuit Court Clerk and the Kentucky State Police criminal history repository
- Misdemeanor conviction records: Retained for a minimum of five years following final disposition, with many records retained permanently in the statewide repository
- Arrest records without conviction: Retained for a minimum of three years; may be subject to expungement under KRS § 431.076, which governs the expungement of arrests not resulting in conviction
- Jail booking records: Retained by the Daviess County Sheriff's Office for a minimum of five years
- Juvenile records: Retained until the subject reaches age 18, after which records are sealed pursuant to KRS § 610.340; certain serious juvenile adjudications may be retained longer
Individuals who wish to have eligible criminal conviction records removed from public access must complete the expungement certification process administered by the Kentucky State Police, in conjunction with the expungement certification process administered by the Administrative Office of the Courts. Expungement does not automatically occur upon the passage of time; a formal petition must be filed with the court, and an order must be entered before records are sealed or destroyed.